Birdbrained!
Some Days Just Come at You — Talons First...
Intro:
Some mornings just get off to a strange start — and this one announced itself before breakfast had even settled!
Birdbrained!
I heard scuffling in the garage, correctly assuming my husband James had returned from his hour-long morning walk.
The door burst open with a slam, and my husband entered crouching, holding his head.
“I need help!” he barked.
“What in the world… ?” I began, alarmed as I spotted blood on his hands and throughout his short hair. I couldn’t imagine what had happened—he couldn’t have been hit by a car, could he?
“A bird attacked me! I don’t know what it was thinking!”
“Quick, come to the bathroom so I can wash off this blood!” I guided him to the bathroom sink. James bent over while I began to rinse and wipe the bloody mess on the top of his head.
Tissue after tissue came out red, but I couldn’t find a wound.
“Do you think this blood came from the bird?” I wondered aloud as I dabbed and wiped.
“I don’t know, but he nearly knocked me down! It was a big bird, kinda dark…I saw it shudder midair, then it flew back up into the trees.”
“What kind of bird do you think it was?” I asked, parting his wet hair now and scanning his scalp.
“Not sure, but maybe like a raven or a hawk? It was big!”
“Good heavens. Unbelievable! What do you suppose it was thinking, that your hair was a nest or a rodent?”
“I have no idea! I was simply walking down the road like I always do, minding my own business!” James huffed.
“Oh, here it is,” I announced. “I found a talon scratch down your scalp. About an inch long — no, two inches total — not deep, just a scratch. Let’s get some antibiotic on it. Who knows what that bird’s talons have been into!” I found myself wondering, did one need a rabies shot after a talon scratch? Dr. Google told us ‘no’.
I doctored his cut, and then James went straight to the shower. When he was finished, I applied the ointment again. Heading toward the stairs, I heard James call out from the bedroom:
“You’d have thought that walking would be a safe sport!!”
With that, the tension dissolved, and I collapsed on the floor in giggles. Indeed! What an odd thing to have happen!
Now, every time we head outside into our neck of the woods, I remind him, “Wear your hat!” and every time he grins and reminds me, “Watch out for the birds! They can be, quite literally, birdbrains!”
And honestly? He’s not wrong!
“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."
(Psalm 91:4, NLT)
Your Turn!
Have you had any strange bird encounters?
Or, what was the strangest thing you’ve experienced at the start of a new day?
More For Bird Lovers:
For Worship: “Do Not Worry”
A sweet reminder from Ellie Holcomb that God protects the birds (!!) as well as us!
Have a blessed week!
*Photos by 1) Niklas and 2) Callum on Unsplash
I have been feeding the birds in my backyard for a few months now. I love watching them and am learning the different behaviors of different birds....who knew Blue Jays were so cautious when coming to the feeders? Because we live in the woods, however, I have also been feeding the squirrels, the raccoon and the groundhog. Yes, groundhogs are herbivores, but apparently they ALL love nuts!
WHAT!!!! OH MY GOSH... "You would think walking would be a safe sport!" 😆 I am outside as I am reading this and I am now just casually looking up... ummm birds, YOU BE NICE!!! I just love birds!!!!